Spurs Survive as Guardiola, Salah Say Premier League Farewells

 24 May 2026, United Kingdom, Liverpool: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah applauds the fans following the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brentford at Anfield. (Peter Byrne/PA Wire/dpa)
24 May 2026, United Kingdom, Liverpool: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah applauds the fans following the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brentford at Anfield. (Peter Byrne/PA Wire/dpa)
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Spurs Survive as Guardiola, Salah Say Premier League Farewells

 24 May 2026, United Kingdom, Liverpool: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah applauds the fans following the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brentford at Anfield. (Peter Byrne/PA Wire/dpa)
24 May 2026, United Kingdom, Liverpool: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah applauds the fans following the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brentford at Anfield. (Peter Byrne/PA Wire/dpa)

Tottenham secured Premier League survival on a dramatic final day of the season on Sunday as West Ham's 14-year stay in the top division came to an end.

Spurs kicked off against Everton needing, realistically, only a draw to avoid relegation for the first time since 1977 -- as they sat two points clear of the Hammers with a significantly better goal difference.

Joao Palhinha released the mounting pressure at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium just before half-time, poking home after his header thundered back off a post.

The Portugal midfielder was mobbed by his teammates as head coach Roberto De Zerbi sprinted down the touchline, turning to celebrate with ecstatic fans in the London sunshine.

That goal left Nuno Espirito Santo's West Ham, then drawing 0-0 with Leeds, needing a favour from Everton, even if they went on to win their match.

Just a few miles away, at the London Stadium, Valentin Castellanos gave West Ham some hope midway through the second half as he fired the Irons in front.

Jarrod Bowen and Callum Wilson made it 3-0 at the full-time whistle but it was too little too late for the Hammers as a nervy Spurs held on to secure all three points.

Spurs have enjoyed a mini-revival in recent weeks under De Zerbi, who arrived in late March as the club's third manager of the season.

Relegation would have been financially disastrous for the ninth-richest club in world, who won the Europa League last season under former boss Ange Postecoglou.

The Hammers, who were promoted to the English top division in 2012, will join Burnley and Wolves in the Championship next season.

- Pep farewell -

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola walked out at the Etihad for the final time as manager after a decade of almost unbroken success, with newly crowned Europa League winners Aston Villa the visitors.

The Catalan on Friday confirmed reports that he was leaving the club after 10 years in charge, with six Premier League titles and the Champions League in his huge collection of silverware.

A huge banner rippled over the heads of the fans bearing a giant image of Guardiola, with the messages "Game Changer" and "History Maker".

There were smaller banners either side to mark the departures of long-serving defender John Stones and midfielder Bernardo Silva.

Antoine Semenyo gave the home side the lead but Ollie Watkins, named this week in England's World Cup squad, scored twice to secure fourth spot in the table for Villa.

Elsewhere on a day of significant departures, Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson revelled in a party atmosphere at Anfield as they said farewell to the club.

Just a week ago Salah, 33, undermined Liverpool boss Arne Slot when he called for a return to the "heavy metal football" played under former boss Jurgen Klopp.

But Slot included the "Egyptian King" -- third on the list of Liverpool's all-time goalscorers -- in his starting line-up alongside Scotland defender Robertson.

Banners in the crowd celebrated both players, one saying "Thank you legends". Another said: "We Have Gone From Great To Glory. Salah Is Our King".

A 1-1 draw meant that Liverpool finish fifth in the table -- a stark comedown after last season's Premier League title triumph.

Ten-man Chelsea lost 2-1 at Sunderland, meaning that newly appointed boss Xabi Alonso will have no European football when he is at the helm next season.

Sunderland and Bournemouth have qualified for the Europa League while Brighton will be in the UEFA Conference League.

There was a party atmosphere at Selhurst Park, where champions Arsenal made nine changes ahead of next week's Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.

Crystal Palace players gave Mikel Arteta's men a guard of honor before kick-off to mark their Premier League triumph.

The Gunners, who beat Conference League finalists Palace 2-1, sealed their first English league title since 2004 earlier this week after City could only draw at Bournemouth.

On the south coast, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes set a new outright record of 21 assists in a single Premier League season when he set up Patrick Dorgu's goal in a 3-0 win at Brighton.



Merino Double Helps Spain Beat Croatia, Reach Nations League Quarters

 Spain's midfielder #6 Mikel Merino celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Nations League Group A3 football match between Croatia and Spain at the Poljud stadium in Split on October 6, 2026. (AFP)
Spain's midfielder #6 Mikel Merino celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Nations League Group A3 football match between Croatia and Spain at the Poljud stadium in Split on October 6, 2026. (AFP)
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Merino Double Helps Spain Beat Croatia, Reach Nations League Quarters

 Spain's midfielder #6 Mikel Merino celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Nations League Group A3 football match between Croatia and Spain at the Poljud stadium in Split on October 6, 2026. (AFP)
Spain's midfielder #6 Mikel Merino celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Nations League Group A3 football match between Croatia and Spain at the Poljud stadium in Split on October 6, 2026. (AFP)

Mikel Merino hit a brace to help World Cup winners Spain seal qualification to the Nations League quarter-finals with a 2-1 win against Croatia on Tuesday.

Ivan Perisic put hosts Croatia ahead but substitute Merino equalized for Spain early in the second half.

Perisic was sent off with 10 minutes remaining for a second yellow card and Merino helped Spain capitalize with a fine finish to reach the last eight with two matches to spare.

"I'm very happy to be able to help the team, another game in which it was my turn to score from the bench," Merino told TVE after helping Spain claim a fourth win from four matches in Group A3.

"I'll go out there with the best possible attitude even while frustrated about not being able to play more... but this team is a family and that always shows."

Spain went a 42nd consecutive game without suffering defeat and lead England by three points at the top of the group.

"The objective is to keep winning, we've gone 42 games without losing and we want to add more to that," said De la Fuente.

"This team makes me feel so proud, I'm so lucky to have these players."

Slaven Bilic's Croatia were crushed 7-0 by England on Saturday, in front of a crowd of children as home fans were banned for racism, and came out determined to make it up to their supporters in Split.

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon was called into action early on, saving well from Josip Stanisic's header, as Luka Modric's team impressed in the first half.

A few minutes later the hosts took the lead in Split with Simon saving from Igor Matanovic's shot but Perisic reacted quickest to head home the rebound.

"We started asleep, it took us a little while to match their tempo," Marc Cucurella told TVE.

Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Simon put Aymeric Laporte in a tough spot in his own box with a loose pass and Croatia intercepted and almost grabbed a second. However Simon saved from Freiburg striker Matanovic's effort.

- Spain battle back -

Spain's teenage star Lamine Yamal raced through on goal early in the second half but he fell after nudging the ball past Barca team-mate and Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.

Merino, on at the interval, pulled Spain level in the 61st minute with a low finish after Dani Olmo, who developed in Croatia as a youngster, fed him.

Croatia's task of holding on in the final stages became harder when Perisic brought down Cucurella and was dismissed.

Merino, so often making key impacts from the bench for Luis De la Fuente, including in the World Cup this summer, finished the job with his second of the night.

The former Real Sociedad man, with two minutes remaining, produced a superb turn and finish to blast past Livakovic.

"It's an honor to coach a player like that," said De la Fuente of Merino, who he called up for the World Cup right after he recovered from injury.

"He has made it absolutely clear why I would have carried him in my arms to the World Cup. In another country he would be more appreciated -- I hope that changes."

Spain next face the Czech Republic away from home and then face Thomas Tuchel's England again in Madrid.

"We look upwards, but with our feet on the ground," said Merino of Spain's ceiling.

"(We go) with humility -- there are days like today when the (unbeaten) streak can become complicated."


Kane Eyes Ronaldo Record After Matching England Cap Mark

Harry Kane of England applauds to supporters after winning the UEFA Nations League match England against Czechia, in London, Britan, 06 October 2026. (EPA)
Harry Kane of England applauds to supporters after winning the UEFA Nations League match England against Czechia, in London, Britan, 06 October 2026. (EPA)
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Kane Eyes Ronaldo Record After Matching England Cap Mark

Harry Kane of England applauds to supporters after winning the UEFA Nations League match England against Czechia, in London, Britan, 06 October 2026. (EPA)
Harry Kane of England applauds to supporters after winning the UEFA Nations League match England against Czechia, in London, Britan, 06 October 2026. (EPA)

Harry Kane refused to rule out catching Cristiano Ronaldo at the top of the international goalscoring charts after netting twice against the Czech Republic to celebrate his record-equaling 125th England cap.

The captain matched Peter Shilton's men's record at Wembley on Tuesday, scoring his 90th and 91st international goals in a 3-0 win -- and has no intention of retiring any time soon.

Ronaldo, 41, tops the global all-time charts with 146 goals for Portugal.

"We'll see how far we can get," said Kane, who is England's record goalscorer. "We're starting with 50-odd goals. It's an awful long way away right now but who knows? I'm in great shape.

"I've said before that some of the players who I've played went into their late 30s and are still at the highest level and even 40s now. It's season by season with me. As long as I feel like I can help the team... I'll be around."

The striker said equaling former goalkeeper Shilton's haul of England caps was "beyond my wildest dreams", 11 years after his debut.

"Amazing, he deserves the stage, he deserves the praise," said England boss Thomas Tuchel, whose team won three of their four Nations League matches during the international break.

Kane, 33, who scored 79 seconds into his debut in 2015, said he had always demanded the highest standards of himself.

"I always had a lot of self-belief," he added. "I was always willing to maybe do more than others and just push myself.... I combined my talent that I had with a lot of hard work and self-belief and a lot of dedication."

And the former Tottenham player, in the running to win the Ballon d'Or in London later this month, said he still had room to improve despite his vast experience.

"I'm coming off the back of my best season ever as a player and I've started this season as good as I did last season," he said.

"I'm in a good place and for me right now, it's just pushing myself and seeing how far I can get."

Kane, who left Spurs as their record goalscorer, has hit new heights since moving to Bayern, breaking a 49-year-old record to become the fastest player to score 100 Bundesliga goals, in his 98th league game.

"I'm not going to stop," he added. "I'm going to keep pushing and see where it takes me. Maybe in 10 years or so, we'll see where that ceiling is at."


Ronaldo Says Portugal Coach Broke Promises, Apologizes for Walkout

Portugal's forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo warms up ahead of the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Portugal and Spain at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on July 6, 2026. (AFP)
Portugal's forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo warms up ahead of the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Portugal and Spain at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on July 6, 2026. (AFP)
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Ronaldo Says Portugal Coach Broke Promises, Apologizes for Walkout

Portugal's forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo warms up ahead of the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Portugal and Spain at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on July 6, 2026. (AFP)
Portugal's forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo warms up ahead of the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Portugal and Spain at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on July 6, 2026. (AFP)

Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday accused Portugal coach Jorge Jesus of breaking his word about giving him game time in Nations League matches, but said he remained available for his country.

In a statement of nearly 2,000 words, the 41-year-old superstar apologized for walking out on the national team and said he would serve a suspension if necessary.

"I will be available, as I have always been until today, to compete and win for our national team," Ronaldo said.

Jesus left the forward unused on the bench for a Nations League match against Norway. Before the next game with Denmark, he said Ronaldo would not start and in response the 41-year-old walked out of the national team camp.

"I owe an apology to my national team teammates for having left the camp," wrote Ronaldo.

"Despite the absolute breakdown of trust in the head coach's word... I shouldn't have done it. The responsibility is mine alone."

Ronaldo also apologized to Portugal supporters, but insisted he had been responding to the veteran coach's "broken word".

"I apologize to the Portuguese people once again, but a broken word has, for me, a defining impact," said Ronaldo.

"I felt that, from that moment on, my presence would only harm the group, and I did what I always said I would do if I didn't feel useful: I picked up my bags and left."

Ronaldo said Jesus, who was appointed after Portugal were knocked out of the World Cup Round of 16, had initially presented him with a plan for the international window which included starting the opening and final games at home, but not travelling for the matches in Norway and Denmark.

The Al-Nassr superstar rejected that proposal, saying it would set a poor example for the captain to remain in Portugal while his teammates travelled.

Ahead of the Norway game, Ronaldo said Jesus unexpectedly asked if he was fit to play 30 minutes. He agreed and warmed up from half-time, but was not brought on.

"The head coach failed to keep his word to me," said Ronaldo, Portugal's most capped player and all-time top goalscorer.

- 'Broken promises -

Former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward Ronaldo said he spoke with Jesus after that and agreed with him that the coach would apologize in a news conference ahead of the Denmark game.

However, Ronaldo said Jesus's subsequent press conference was completely different from what was agreed in their conversation, with an "aggressiveness" he had never previously experienced from the coach.

"It was the second time he failed to keep his word. I decided to leave the camp without waiting for any further broken promises," wrote Ronaldo.

The striker said he would serve any "suspension that is imposed" on him and accepted he should be punished for his actions.

"The consequence of this act of mine must be assessed and punished by the Portuguese Football Federation," he explained.

"I understand that the punishment should not have mitigating circumstances. I'm not just any player, I'm the team captain, and that is an aggravating factor."

Portugal won all four of their Nations League matches and qualified for the quarter-finals with two games to spare.